iOptron HAZ31 mount: GoTo alt-azimuth mount with harmonic drive that aligns almost by itself

Compact, with no counterweight, capable of carrying 14 kg, and featuring automatic alignment that works even from a balcony or garden with a partially clear horizon. The HAZ31 combines iOptron's harmonic drive technology with the simplicity of Level and Go.

Why choose the HAZ31?

The HAZ31 is the most compact of iOptron's family of harmonic-drive alt-azimuth mounts. It is designed for observers who want a GoTo mount that is robust, portable and quick to set up, without the constraint of counterweights or the complexity of equatorial set-up. Whether for visual observation, popularization evenings, travel, or an introduction to planetary and lunar imaging, it offers rare versatility in its size.

Its CNC-machined and anodized all-metal body gives it a rigidity that far exceeds what its 3.7 kg weight would suggest. The double saddle accepts both Vixen and Losmandy-D dovetails, and can even be reconfigured to accommodate astronomical binoculars.

Harmonic drive: the end of counterweights

The heart of the HAZ31 is based on strain wave gearboxes on both the azimuth and altitude axes. This technology, derived from precision robotics, enables a very high reduction ratio (480:1) in a tiny volume, with reduced mechanical backlash.

In practical terms, this means that a 3.7 kg mount carries 14 kg of cantilevered instrument, with no counterweight and no counterweight bar. The carrying bag is lighter, installation simpler, and balancing a non-issue. The electronic friction brake acts on both axes: in the event of a power cut, planned or otherwise, the mount locks without allowing the tube to rotate freely.

Level and Go: automatic alignment, even with a partially clear horizon

This is the decisive argument for many urban observers or those constrained by their location. One question often comes up: is it possible to align the frame if I can only see part of the sky, e.g. only south and west? With the HAZ31, the answer is yes, and the reason lies in its design.

Unlike mounts that require you to point at several stars spread across the sky, the HAZ31 establishes its pointing reference (the zero position) using internal sensors: a magnetic sensor to locate south, an altitude sensor to find the zenith, and a GPS for position and time. The alignment wizard then follows these steps automatically.

Only the last step requires you to see a star. And if the proposed star is obscured by a tree or building, simply press the back button on the paddle to move on to the next one. With a clear horizon to the south and west, there's always a bright star to calibrate. The Sync to Target function can then be used to fine-tune the pointing around the observed area, on a single star.

Good to know: the real prerequisite is not a completely clear horizon, but careful levelling (that's what the built-in bubble is for). As south-finding is based on a magnetic sensor, avoid installing the mount right next to a large metal mass. In any case, calibration on a star corrects any residual error.

HAZ31 technical specifications

HAZ31, HAZ46 or HAZ71: which frame to choose?

The HAZ31 shares its architecture with two big sisters. The choice is essentially based on the payload and size of your instrument.

The HAZ31 is the ideal choice for travel apo scopes, small and medium-sized Maksutov or Schmidt-Cassegrain, compact Newtons and binoculars. Beyond that, the HAZ46 and HAZ71 take over for heavier instruments.

A database of over 212,000 objects

The Go2Nova 8409 provides access to a complete catalog, from the solar system to distant galaxies.

Control: racket, smartphone or computer

The HAZ31 can be operated both stand-alone and computer-controlled, making it a solid foundation for the transition from visual to imaging.

Who's the HAZ31 for?

• The nomadic observer who wants a lightweight GoTo frame to slip into a bag.
• The host and the club for public viewing evenings, thanks to Level and Go and the absence of counterweights.
• The urban observer to the constrained horizon, which benefits from automatic alignment.
• The imaging beginner planetary, lunar and solar (with suitable filter).
• The big binocular enthusiast, thanks to the reconfigurable saddle.

Recommended accessories

• Tripod extension: to avoid banging the tripod with the tube.
• Tripod iOptron carbon: Highly stable and lightweight
• The snowshoe which means you don't need a telephone.

Frequently asked questions

Can you align the HAZ31 if you can only see part of the sky (e.g. south and west)?

Yes, the zero position is established by the internal sensors (magnetic, altitude) and the GPS, independently of the visible horizon. Only the final calibration requires a star, and a single visible star in the clear zone is sufficient.

Does the HAZ31 need to be polarized?

No. It's an alt-azimuth mount: no set-up required. Simply level the base and launch Level and Go.

Do I need counterweights?

No. Harmonic drive technology allows cantilevered operation, without counterweight or counterweight bar, up to 14 kg load.

Is the HAZ31 suitable for astrophotography?

It is excellent for planetary, lunar and solar photography. In the deep sky, being alt-azimuthal, field rotation limits the duration of individual exposures: we prefer accumulated short exposures, or the addition of a field rotator to go further.

Can it be controlled by smartphone?

Yes, Wi-Fi is integrated. The mount can be controlled from a smartphone or tablet via iOptron Commander Lite or SkySafari, with no additional hardware required.

In a nutshell

The iOptron HAZ31 encapsulates the essence of what you'd expect from a modern mount: the power of a harmonic drive, the lightness of a travel model, and automatic alignment that requires neither perfect horizon nor stationing. A frame that says yes more often than it says no.